Name: Les Dossey
Company: Success Habits
Please tell us about
your business: I help people who are stuck to get unstuck.
I teach people how to break, modify, and develop the habits of thought, choice
and action required to achieve success and live an incredible life.
How long have you been
working from home? 25+ years
Do you work from home
full time or part time? Full time
How do you stay
connected with colleagues in your field? I make it a priority. I schedule time for coffee or lunch with colleagues
or I'll chat on the phone or use Skype or Google hangouts to meet.
How do you deal with
the isolating nature of working from home? I can't remember a time when it
felt isolating. Through client interactions, research, content development,
writing, coaching, consulting and speaking I have plenty to occupy my mind and
imagination.
I purposely isolate on a daily basis to meditate or re-boot which brings
everything back into focus and keeps me moving in the right direction
How do you stay
motivated without the accountability of a "time clock"? The vision I have for my work is so clear and compelling that
it pulls me towards it. There is no need to stay motivated. I'm one with my
work, and it's one with me. Sounds like mumbo jumbo, pop psychology I know, but
after you've experienced it for yourself you'll understand.
What are the biggest challenges
you face when working from home? When the kids were
home it was a challenge maintaining boundaries and on occasion my beautiful
bride might encroach, but that's the beauty of working from home. You get to
enjoy those encroachments and get the work done earlier or later when
necessary.
Do you work in your
underwear? I'll never tell
What is the best part
about working from home?
I walk about ten
steps from my bedroom to my office. I wear what I want to wear or nothing. I
make most of my meals harvested from my garden. I lay in the sun most days
after lunch and read or listen to something inspiring. I work out to maintain
fitness throughout the day. I take long walks with my wife and boxer. I come
and go as I please. I work the schedule I want to work. I could go on and on
and on
What is the one item
that you find vital to have in your home office?
A powerful
internet connection.
A good quality sound system.
A scansnap scanner.
A comfortable chair.
My imac.
I use a bose soundwave system connected to my imac and have various
playlists I've customized on spotify for various activities. For instance, when
I'm writing I like some Miles Davis or John Coltrane or movie soundtracks
playing. If I'm interacting socially on Google Plus I like a mix of everything
from pop to standards.
My office is paperless.
I do almost all of my own graphic design for blog posts and marketing
content as well as the development and building of my website so my imac makes
all of that very enjoyable
What is the one piece
of advice that you can give to those just starting out working from home?
There are so many vital lessons people starting out need to
learn quickly.
1. Live minimally.
Keep your expenses ramen noodle cheap.
2. Get some master
level training in how to market and sell yourself.
3. Keep your vision
clear and compelling and don't be afraid to let it evolve rapidly.
P.S. Make sure you
have buy in from those closest to you. If your spouse isn't 100% supportive it
makes things very difficult if not impossible.
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